ActionAid Liberia has concluded a two-day County-Level National People’s Summit on Climate Justice in Gbarnga, Bong County. The summit brought together grassroots voices, policymakers, and environmental advocates at the Gbarnga Youth Center.
The Climate Justice Summit was held under the theme, “Scaling Agroecology, People-Driven Climate Finance, and Sustainable Solutions for Liberia.” The summit serves as a critical platform to explore community-led strategies to build resilience against the accelerating impacts of climate change.
Norwu Harris, ActionAid Liberia’s Program Coordinator for Climate Justice and Youth, emphasized the urgent need for people-centered and locally driven climate action. She underscored the summit’s core message that true climate resilience in Liberia must begin at the grassroots level, with local farmers, youth, and civil society leading the charge.
“We cannot solve the climate crisis without involving those most affected. This summit is about empowering communities with the tools, knowledge, and voice to drive sustainable change,” Harris added.
At the two-day gathering, participants were engaged in robust discussions. The workshop’s key topics included agroecological practices that safeguard soil health and biodiversity, and the use of organic alternatives, such as compost and animal manure, in place of chemical fertilizers.
The impacts of climate on agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods, and inclusive climate financing mechanisms driven by communities themselves were also discussed.
She said the initiative forms part of ActionAid Liberia’s broader mission to promote social justice, gender equity, and sustainable development by placing power and decision-making in the hands of those traditionally marginalized.
As Liberia grapples with increasingly erratic weather patterns, soil degradation, and food insecurity, the summit’s outcomes presented local action plans and policy recommendations that align with global climate justice frameworks.
Additionally, the summit drew diverse participation, reflecting a national urgency around the climate agenda. Participants of the two-day summit lauded ActionAid Liberia for organizing such a workshop. They underscored that climate changes are affecting agricultural productivity, thereby contributing to the high cost of living for citizens across the world.
The participants included high school and university students, members of the Farmers Union of Liberia (Bong Chapter), representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and local NGOs and climate-focused groups.
The August 7-8, 2025, summit featured interactive dialogues, youth-led innovation showcases, and community action planning sessions aimed at crafting a more resilient, equitable, and climate- conscious Liberia.
